Reviews

Det blå mellom himmel og hav by Susan Abulhawa

charliebriggs96's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

nairseeta's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

5.0

krystallotuslang's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

mexgumi's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

elliemcc11's review against another edition

3.0

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this review copy.

This is the story of four generations of Palestinian women, who survive through some extraordinary circumstances. There are scenes of sexual violence and child abuse, which some readers may find difficult to read.

What I liked about this book was that it described periods of history I was aware of but knew little details about. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is ongoing, and innocent people are still suffering, and this was the story of those innocents over a period of history.

What I struggled with, and why I didn't finish the book, was the number of characters. I struggled to keep up with who was who, and by over 50% through I decided it wasn't for me. I also wasn't very keen on the magical realism. It's not something I like normally, so for it to be in this novel...

I think the book well written and think it important that the Palestinian voice be heard, and for that I wish the author well in her work.

temi_m's review against another edition

emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

asiata's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

megansoetaert's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

this is an emotional intergenerational story of oppression, violence, and family in Palestine from 1948 to the 2000s. 

Abulhawa made me connect with the characters so strongly, even with such a large cast. Nazmiyeh is such a spectacular character and i felt like i really knew her. 

This book tells the story of the intense violence and oppression that Palestinians experienced (and still experience) at the hands of Israeli settlers & military. It was so emotional & often hard to read, but a very important story to be told. The main family’s love for each other connected the characters and kept hope alive despite everything. 

Free Palestine past & present. From the river to the sea! 🇵🇸

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Violence, War, Rape, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, and Genocide

rayaan_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

redlippie_and_literature's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5